INS Imphal Makes Maiden Port Call at Port Louis, Set to Participate in 57th Mauritius National Day Celebrations

The visit continues the tradition of Indian naval warships and aircraft contributing to the national festivities of Mauritius.

 Indian Naval Ship (INS) Imphal has arrived at Port Louis, Mauritius, for its maiden port call. The state-of-the-art warship will actively participate in the 57th Mauritius National Day celebrations on March 12, 2025, reinforcing the longstanding maritime cooperation between India and Mauritius.

The visit continues the tradition of Indian naval warships and aircraft contributing to the national festivities of Mauritius. As part of the National Day Parade at Champs de Mars, INS Imphal will field a marching contingent, a naval band, and a helicopter flypast. Notably, India’s Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, will grace the occasion as the Chief Guest, underscoring the close bilateral ties between the two nations.

During its stay from March 10-14, INS Imphal will engage in a series of training and cultural exchange activities aimed at strengthening maritime security cooperation and fostering people-to-people ties. These include cross-training visits, friendly sports fixtures, and community outreach initiatives. Additionally, a joint Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) surveillance operation and maritime exercise with Mauritius Coast Guard Ships (MCGS) are scheduled, further enhancing regional security collaboration.

The engagements align with India’s ‘Neighborhood First’ policy and the vision of SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region), a strategic initiative articulated by Prime Minister Modi exactly a decade ago in Mauritius. This vision was first demonstrated with the commissioning of MCGS Barracuda on March 12, 2015, the first Indian-built warship inducted into the Mauritius National Coast Guard.

Commissioned in December 2023, INS Imphal is the third of the four Project 15B Visakhapatnam-class indigenous destroyers. Designed and built in India, it is equipped with cutting-edge weaponry, sensors, and machinery, ranking among the most advanced naval vessels globally. The warship’s participation in the Mauritius National Day celebrations symbolizes India’s steadfast commitment to a safe, secure, and stable Indian Ocean Region (IOR), reinforcing its deep-rooted historical, political, economic, security, and socio-cultural partnership with Mauritius.